Villanova Monteleone
Getting to know Villanova Monteleone
Hello everyone, today I want to talk to you about a municipality in north-west Sardinia called Villanova Monteleone. This town has around 2,098 inhabitants and is located in the province of Sassari. It is well-known for its Galleri countryside and its Coral Riviera. Villanova Monteleone is located 22 km from Alghero and 36 km from Sassari.
Physical geography
Its territory extends over 200 km². A peculiarity of the town is that, despite being located on a high hill almost 600 meters above sea level, it has a famous beach called Poglina, just 16 km away.
History
The area of Villanova Monteleone was inhabited since the Neolithic era and there are still traces of Nuragic Civilization in this area. In the Middle Ages, it belonged to the Giudicato of Torres and was part of the curatoria of Caputabbas. At the fall of the Giudicato (1259), it passed under the dominion of the Genoese family of Doria, who renamed it Monteleone County in 1383. During the struggles between Doria and Aragonese, the town declined, but it was regained when the inhabitants of the nearby village of Monteleone Rocca Doria settled there: in 1436, after a long siege by the Aragonese, Sassarese, and Bosans, the Monteleonesi took refuge in the pre-existing village of Villanova, considered safer and healthier because it was higher and rich in oak and cork forests, which was then called: ''Bidda Noa Monteleone'', meaning ‘new city of Monteleone’.
In 1436, the town passed from the Doria to the Aragonese and was incorporated into the Kingdom of Sardinia. In 1582, it suffered a major and bloody invasion by Barbary pirates, which resulted in deaths and caused many inhabitants to become slaves. For security reasons, the inhabitants moved once again to a more interior slope of their territory, called Santa Maria, and rebuilt the town there. The slaves, mostly women and children, were sold in Morocco, but were later saved by the Sardinian Deidda, who pursued the pirates to their ship, making a carnage of them.
Even today, in memory of that event, the festival of San Giovanni Battista is celebrated in Interrios on 29 August every year and the return of the Madonna Vergine d'Interrios to the parish of Leonardo di Noblac.
In the mid-sixteenth century, Villanova Monteleone was a fiefdom of the Brunengo, which was redeemed in 1839 with the suppression of the feudal system, so it became a municipality governed by a mayor and a municipal council.
Having developed significantly as a center of trade and a crossroads for the interior areas, such as Montresta, Bosa, etc., Villanova became a communication and passage center for the cities of Alghero and Sassari.
Life in Villanova Monteleone
Villanova Monteleone is a town that offers a lot to anyone who visits. Thanks to its geographical location, it is possible to experience both the mountains and the sea. Poglina beach is perfect for those who love to enjoy the sun and the sea, while the countryside of Galleri offers the opportunity to walk or cycle and discover incredible natural landscapes.
In the town, there are many shops, restaurants, and bars where you can taste local products, such as the famous Sardinian pecorino cheese, and traditional Sardinian cuisine. The town also offers the opportunity to visit the beautiful sanctuary of Interrios and to participate in the festival of San Giovanni Battista and the return of the Madonna Vergine d'Interrios.
Villanova Monteleone is very proud of its history and cultural identity, which is reflected in its Sardinian Territorial Pact and the promotion of the Sardinian language.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a quiet and relaxing town where you can discover both the mountains and the sea, Villanova Monteleone is definitely the right place for you. Its history is fascinating and intertwined with that of Sardinia, while its cuisine and local products will not disappoint visitors. Plus, the natural beauty of this area will surely leave an indelible impression on your mind. Come and visit Villanova Monteleone and discover all its hidden treasures!
